Low-silhouette high voltage substation



Jan. 16, 1968 J. M. STlPCEVICH LOW-SILHOUETTE HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1966 INVENTOR JOHN M. .ST/PCEV/CH ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 J. M. STIPCEVICH LOW-SILHOUETTE HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 8, 1966 INVENTOR JOHN M. .S'T/PCEV/CH ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 J. M. STIPCEVICH 3,354,398

LOW-SILHOUETTE HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION Filed June 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOI? JOHN M. ST/PCEV/CH ATTORNEY United grates Patent Ofiice 3,364,398 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 3,364,398 LOW SELHUUETTE HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATHUN John M. Stipcevich, Westmont, NJ.

(114 Hampton Road, Collingswood, NJ. 08108) Filed June 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,158 11 Claims. (61. 317-103) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE High voltage electric power transmission substations are provided in which line buses and interconnected transverse main buses are all at one level. In order to connect a respective line bus conductor to the corresponding phase conductor of the main bus at a crossover or connection location, a bridging or hop-over conductor of rigid tubing is used, which crosses over any intermediate disposed conductors of different phase at appropriate vertical spacing. The only portions of these conductor systems which are disposed substantially above the common level of the respective line buses and main buses are the bridging portions of the rigid bridging conductors.

This inventions relates to electric power distribution substation construction and more particularly to such a station that has a low-silhouette and carries high voltage.

Heretofore, high voltage electric power transmission substations having buses of rigid tubing were constructed with the main buses at one level and the line buses at a different level. The spacing provided between main and line buses for extra high voltages such as 500 kv. was at least 20 feet with the lower buses at the 30 foot level and the higher buses at a 50 foot level. This two level construction required very expensive supporting structure for the upper level buses as well as requiring extensive foundation to carry such structure.

The present invention has as its principal object the provisions of a single level construction for the main and line buses and a hop-over construction at the crossover or location of the connection of such buses.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substation construction which is economical in fabrication and readily adaptable to many different configuration requirements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substation construction which reduces the crossover length and the consequent wind loads on the structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substation construction which requires a minimum of support and provides a sturdy symmetrical balanced structure with relatively low stresses.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substation construction which because of reduced height as compared to prior construction simplifies maintenance.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the substation construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective similar to FIG. 1 but showing another form of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the substation construction shown in FIG. 1 but with another form of supporting structure.

it should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof one form of substation construction is there illustrated. The substation construction shown is for a typical three phase system carrying 300 kv. or lower voltage. The substation has a main bus MB and two line buses characterized as ILB and 2LB. The main bus MB has three phase conductors MR1, MB2, and MB3, which conductors are of rigid metal tubing construction of well known type.

The conductors MBl, MB2, and MR3 are supported by a plurality of pedestal insulators 10 of well known type. The insulators 10 starting from the right hand end of the main bus conductors MBI, MB2, and MR3 are mounted on similar mounting frames 11, five mounting frames being shown for this particular illustration. The frames 11 have horizontal supporting arms 12 to which the insulators 10 are mounted in well known manner. Vertical legs 14 are provided attached to the arms 12 at their uppermost extremity and engaged at their lowermost ends in mounting plates 15 which are fastened to foundations (not shown) in the ground. At the extreme right hand end of FIG. 1 frames 16 are provided, with a top horizontal plate 17 with potential transformers 20, used for metering purposes are mounted. Suitable connectors 21 extend from the transformers 20 to each of the three phase conductors MBl, MB2, and MB3. At the left hand end each of the three phase conductors MBl, MB2, and MB3 is supported by an insulator 10 mounted on a frame bar 22 of a platform 23. The platform 23 has its bars 22 supported by and mounted on a plate 24 with two pairs of downwardly extending inclined legs 25 fastened thereto in supporting relation to the plate 24. The legs 25 have plates 28 attached thereto and to suitable foundations (not shown) in the ground.

Three conventional disconnect switches 26 are provided attached to three pairs of insulators 10 mounted on the left of bars 22 on plate 24 and have leads 27 connecting the phase conductors MBl, MB2, and MR3, to circuit breakers 30 of conventional type, the conductors MBI, MBZ and M83 extend from circuit breakers 30 to other lines or equipment as desired.

The line bus ILB located at the left hand end of FIG. 1 is comprised of three phase conductors designated as 1LB1, 1LB2, and 1LB3, mounted on frame 35 by pedestal insulators 10. The insulators 10 are connected to frame bars 36 secured to. plate 37 which has two pairs of supporting legs 38 attached thereto and engaged by mounting plates 39 in foundations (not shown) in the ground. Disconnect switches 40 with contact ends 41 mounted on insulators 10 are also provided with the conductors 1LB1, 1LB2, and 11,133 connected thereto, the insulators 10 are also secured to the frame bars 36.

The contact end 41 of the leftmost switch 40 has a short conductor 42 connected thereto which extends horizontally to main bus conductor MB]. to which it is rigidly secured.

The switch 40 next to the right has an arcuate upwardly extending conductor 43 attached to the contact end 41 which conductor 43 bridges or hops over the conductor MBI, spaced therefrom, and extends to the center main bus conductor MB2, A vertical downwardly extending A-frame 44 connects the conductor i3 to the main bus conductor MB2 with the conductor 43 connected to its apex and dielectrically spaced from the main bus conductor M81 in its passage thereover. The frame 44 can be provided with a horizontal brace 45.

The line bus conductor 1LB3 at its switch 40 has at its contact end 41 an arcuate upwardly extending conductor 50 connected thereto which bridges or hops over main bus conductors MB1 and MB2, spaced therefrom, and terminates over conductor MB3.

A vertical downwardly extending A-frame 51 connects the conductor 50 to the main bus conductor M83, the conductor 50 is spaced dielectrically from the conductors MB1, and MB2 in order to prevent arcing. The A-frame 51 can be provided with a horizontal brace 52. This construction illustrates the typical T-construction as viewed from above with the line bus being the stem portion of the T and the main bus the transverse portion. The line bus 2LB has three phase conductors 2LB1, 2LB2, and 2LB3, is located at the right hand end of FIG. 1 and is also provided with disconnect switches 40 with contact ends 41 similar to those of line bus conductors 1LB1, 1LB2, and 1LB3 and mounted on a frame 35 by insulators 10.

The frame 35 has plate 37, frame bars 36, legs 38 and plates 39 as previously described.

The conductor 2LB1 with switch 40 connected thereto has at its contact end 41 a horizontal conductor 55 extending therefrom to the main bus conductor MBl and rigidly secured thereto. An A-fra-me 60 is provided attached to the conductor MB1 and located over the point where the conductor 55 is attached. The A-frame 60 has a horizontal brace 62. The A-frame 60 extends vertically upwardly and is rigidly secured to conductor MB1. A hop over or bridging conductor 65 is provided fastened to the apex of A-frame 60 and extending horizontally over the conductors MB2, and MB3 when it then curves arcuately downwardly and terminates at a contact end 41 of a switch 40 mounted on frame 35 as described previously. The line bus conductor 2LB1 is connected to switch 40 and extends to circuit breaker and to other locations as desired.

The conductor 2LB2 has its near end switch 40 with contact end 41 also mounted on an insulator 10, and has a hop over or bridging conductor 63 connected thereto which conductor extends arcuately upwardly, and bridges over conductors MB1, MB2, and MB3 and terminates at a contact end 41 of a far end switch 40 mounted on the frame transverse to conductor 2LB1. The line bus conductor 2LB2 is connected to this switch and extends to circuit breaker 30 and to other locations as desired. The middle of the conductor 63 has a downwardly extending A-frame 57 connected thereto and secured at its lower end to the middle main bus conductor MB2. The A-frame 57 has a horizontal brace 56. The conductor 63 is spaced dielectrically from and over main bus conductors MB1 and MB3. .g V

The line bus conductor 2LB3 has the contact end 41 and near end switch 40 mounted as previously described, with an arcuate upwardly extending hop over or bridging conductor 70 connected thereto. The conductor 70 bridges main bus conductors M31 and MBZ and terminates above conductor MB3 to which it is attached by an A-frame 71. The A-frame 71 has a horizontal brace 73. A short horizontal conductor 72 is attached to conductor MB3 under A-frame 71 and extends to contact end 41 of far end switch 40 on frame 35 which has line bus conductor 2LB3 connected thereto extending to circuit breaker 30 and to other locations as desired.

The construction described for line bus 2LB is typical for the construction where it is. desired to have the line bus 2LB cross over the main bus MB with the line buses 2LB in alignment and extending from opposite sides of the main bus MB.

The choice of which bus is to hop over the other is a question of economies. In a T-type intersection, viewed from above, two less bridging elements and conductors are required where the stem member of the T is the hop over bus than when the hop over bus is the transverse member of the T. In the cross-type intersection where line buses extend from opposite sides of the main bus either line or main bus may be the hop over bus.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3 a substation construction suitable for voltages higher than 300 kv., is there illustrated. The basic construction is similar to that of FIG. 1, except that due to the dielectric spacing required and consequent greater lengths of unsupported tubing, it is necessary to provide additional supports at certain selected locations.

The substation of FIG. 3 has a main bus designated as 2MB and line buses designated as 31.3 and 4LB. The line bus 3LB is located at the left of the drawing of FIG. 3 and is shown as the transverse bus, the main bus 2MB being the bridging or hop over bus. The line bus 3LB has three phase conductors 3LB1, 3LB2, and 3LB3. The conductors 3LB1, 3LB2, and 3LB3 are supported in the center thereof on pedestal insulators mounted on pedestal supports 101 fastened to plates 102 which are attached to foundations (not shown) in the ground. The conductors 3LB1, 3LB2 and 3LB3 are each provided with two sets of disconnect switches 104 which include contact ends 105. The switches 104 and ends 105 as well as the phase conductors are supported by insulators 100 which at these locations are mounted on transverse bars 106 of a supporting structure 112 supported by legs 107 and plates 108 fastened to foundations (not shown) as previously described.

The line bus conductor 3LB1 has a vertically extending A-frame 110 connected thereto with a bridging or hop over conductor 111 attached at its apex and extending horizontally to the right over the line bus conductors 3LB2 and 3LB3. The A-frame 110 has a horizontal brace 114. Intermediate the conductors 3LB1, 3LB2, and 3LB3 two high-rise supporting structures 113 are provided, with insulators 100 attached thereto in supporting relation to the conductors 111 between its ends. At its right end the conductor 111 curves arcuately downwardly and is fastened to contact end 105 of a switch 104. The contact end 105 of switch 104 is mounted on a frame bar 106 and has main bus conductor 2MB1 connected thereto and extends horizontally to the right where it connects to a circuit breaker 115. The circuit breaker 115 is of conventional type and has a support platform 116 with legs 117 and attachment plates 118 fastened to foundations (not shown) in the ground. The main bus conductor 2MB1 continues from the right side of breaker 115 to another circuit breaker 115 of similar type supported in like manner. Between the breakers 115 the conductor 2MB1 is supported by pedestal insulators 100 on supports 101 and plates 102, attached to foundations (not shown) as previously described. On the right side of the second breaker 115, a short bus bar 120 extends to a switch 104, mounted on bar 106 of structure 112. A short conductor 12.1 extends from contact end 105 of switch 104 to a transverse line bus conductor 4LB1. The line bus conductor 4LB1 is similar to line bus conductor 3LB1, is mounted on insulators 100 on supports 101 and plates 102 and has switches 104 mounted on supporting frame structure 112 with frame bars 106, legs 107 and plates 108 as previously described.

An A-frame 122 is provided with its lower legs connected to line has conductor 4LB1 directly over conductor 121 and extending vertically upwardly. The A-frame 122 has a horizontaly brace 124. A bridging or hop-over conductor 123 is attached to the apex of A-frame 122. and extends to the right over line bus conductors 4LB2 and 4LB3 to contact end 105 of switch 104 mounted on structure 112 as described for line bus conductors 3LB1. The main bus conductor 2MB1 from this switch 104 extends to the right and to other locations as desired. The bridging or hopover conductor 123 is supported intermediate its ends by two high rise supporting structures 113 between conductors 4LB1, 4LB2, and 4LB3, supporting it as previously described for hop-over or bridging conductor 111.

The line bus conductor 3LB2 is similar to conductor 3LB1, is supported by supporting structure 112, has switches 104, contact ends 105 and insulators on supports 101 as described for conductor 3LB1. Intermediate the switches 104 an A-frame 125 is provided with its lower legs rigidly secured to conductor 3LB2 and extending vertically upwardly. The A-frame 125 has a horizontal brace 127. A hop-over or bridging conductor 126 is connected to the apex of A-frame 125 extends to the right over conductor 3LB3 and curves arcuately downwardly until it joins contact 105 of a switch 104. Conductor 126 is supported at the midportion thereof by insulator 100 on a supporting structure 113 as previously described.

The contact end 105 of switch 104 is mounted on bar 106 of supporting structure 112, and then connected to circuit breaker 115 which is connected to another breaker 115. The breakers 115 are mounted on platforms 116 as previously described. An insulator 100 on pedestal 101 supports the conductor 2MB2 between the two circuit breakers 115. A lead 130 connects the second breaker 115 to a switch 104, which is mounted with contact end 105 on bar 106 of a supporting structure 112. A hop-over or bridging conductor 131 is attached to contact end 105 and curves arcuately upwardly, extends horizontally and then curves downwardly bridging over line bus conductors 4LB1 and 4LB2 and 4LB3 and connected to a switch 104 through contact 105 mounted on the supporting structure 112. The main bus conductor ZMBZ. then extends to other desired locations. The hop-over or bridging conductor 131 is supported between line bus conductors 4LB1 and 4LB2 and 4LB3 by two insulators 100 on high rise structures 113. An A-frame 135 is attached to conductor 131 at the apex of the A-frame and extends downwardly to line bus conductor 4LB2 to which it is secured. The A- frame 135 has a horizontal brace 139. Line bus conductor 4LB2 has structure as described for 4LB1, is parallel thereto, and extends transversely as described for 4LB1.

The line bus conductor 3LB3 is similar to 3LB2 and 3LB1 in that it is supported by structures 112, has switches 104, end contacts 105, insulators 100, and pedestal supports 101.

A short bar 136 of conductor 2MB3 is connected to the line bus conductor 3LB3 and extends horizontally to contact 105 of a switch 104 mounted on structure 112, which switch 104 is connected to a circuit breaker 115. The circuit breaker 115 which is mounted on platform 116 is connected to a second breaker 115 mounted as described for conductor 2MB2. The conductor 2MB3 is supported by insulators 100 on supports 101 as previously described.

A lead 140 connects the second breaker 115 to a switch 104, through its contact 105, which are mounted on supporting structure 112.

A hop-over or bridging conductor 141 is provided connected to contact 105 and which extends arcuately upwardly and bridges horizontally over line bus phase conductors 4LB1 and 4LB2. The conductor 141 terminates over line bus conductor 4LB3 where it is attached to the apex of an A-frame 142 which extends downwardly and is connected to line bus conductor 4LB3. The A-frame 142 has a horizontal brace 143. A short bus bar 145 is provided connected to conductor 4LB3 under A-frame 142 and extending to contact 105 of switch 104 mounted on supporting structure 112. Two high rise support structures 113 are provided to support hop-over or bridging conductor 141 located respectively between 4LB1 and 4LB2, and 4LB2 and 4LB3. The main bus conductor 2MB3 is connected to switch 104 and extends to other locations as desired.

The line bus conductor 4LB3 is the same as conductor 4LB2 as previously described with identical structures.

The construction as shown in FIG. 4 is the same structure illustrated in FIG. 1 but with the main bus supports relocated. The spacing between the main and line buses for 300 kv. or lower voltage provides less weight to be supported than for 500 kv. In this construction the mounting frames 11 required to support the main bus phase conductors 1MB have been reduced from five to three. The frames 11 are placed at an acute angle with respect to the main bus and each A-frame has an insulator 10 on arm 12 of frame 11 placed under it and additionally a frame 11 is placed between the line bus connections to the respective main line conductors 1MB for support in spaced relation to the first mentioned frames 11. In all other respects the main and line has conductors and structure of F IG. 4 are identical to that of FIG. 1.

It will thus be seen that a substation construction has been provided which carries out the objects of the invention.

I claim:

1. A low-silhouette high voltage substation construction comprising:

a main bus having a plurality of main bus phase conductors,

insulating support means for supporting said main bus conductors at spaced intervals and at a predetermined level,

a line bus transverse to said main bus, having a plurality of line bus phase conductors,

insulating support means for supporting said line bus conductors at spaced intervals at a predetermined level substantially the same as the level of the main bus conductors, and means for interconnecting said main bus conductors with the respective same phase line bus conductors,

said last-mentioned means including a plurality of spaced bridging conductors respectively connected from a conductor of one of said buses to the corresponding phase conductor of the other of said buses and hopping over another phase conductor of the other of said buses.

2. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 in which:

at least one of said bridging conductors is disposed over another phase conductor of said other of said buses, and

one of said bridging conductors is disposed over a plugality of other phase conductors of said other of said uses.

3. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 in which:

a frame member is provided, and

at least one of said bridging conductors at its junction with a connecting conductor is connected to said frame member carried by said connecting conductor and connected thereto.

4. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 3 in which:

said frame member is an A-frame.

5. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 which:

includes a disconnect switch connected between one of said bridging conductors and a respective bus conductor to which it is attached.

6. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 in which:

said line bus and said main bus are in intersecting relation, and

said means for interconnecting said main bus conductors with the respective same phase line bus conductors includes disconnect switch means for disconnecting said line bus conductors from said main bus conductors.

7. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 6 in which said disconnect switch means includes disconnect switches and said bridging conductors are connected to the contact ends of respective disconnect switches.

8. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 7 in which one of the buses is a through bus,

the intersection is a cross intersection with a first and a second bus extending outwardly on either side of said through bus,

said through bus and said first and second buses are three-phase buses comprising respective first, second and third phase conductors,

the first phase conductor of said through bus is connected to the contact end of said first bus first phase conductor disconnect switch by a horizontal conductor disposed therebetween and to the contact end of said second bus first phase conductor disconnect switch by a bridging conductor crossing over and spaced from the second and third phase conductors of said through bus,

the contact ends of said first and second bus second phase conductor disconnect switches are connected together by a bridging conductor crossing over and spaced from the first and third phase conductors of said through bus and connected to the second phase conductor thereof,

and the third phase conductor of said through bus is connected to the contact end of said second bus third phase conductor disconnect switch by a horizontal conductor disposed therebetween and to the contact end of said first bus third phase conductor disconnect switch by a bridging conductor crossing over and spaced frbm'the first and second phase conductors of said through bus. 9. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 in which: 7 said line bus terminates at said main bus, and

in claim 1 in which said bridging conductors are each supported at one end by respective conductors of said main'bus. 11. A low-silhouette high voltage substation as defined in claim 1 in which said bridging conductors are each supported at one end by respective conductors of said line bus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,787,053 12/1930 Rossrnan 3l7103 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner. 

